Lock or latch



E. CRUMPTON AND C. L. CROOKS.

LOCK R LATCH.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.23. 1919.

1,434,370. Patnted Nov. 7,1922.

2 SHEETSSHEEI 16' ha F' 1 16 k9- 52 72 74 .55 E #5 HI H 'V AZ 4 7 4; v p72 a, V

9 g g Z 7 K muawtoxa E. CROMPTON AND C. L. CROOKS.

LOCK 0R LATCH.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.23, l9l9:

1,434,370. Patented Nov. 7,1922.

2 SHEETS-SHE 2- Emuentom;

Patented Nov. 7, 1922.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EDWIN CR OMPTON AND CHARLES L. CROOKS, 0F PUEBLO, COLORADO.

LOCK OR LATCH.

Application filed August 23, 1919. Serial No. 319,460,

To all whom it may concern.

Be it known that we, E WIN CRoMr'roN and CHARLES L. CnooKs, citizens of the United States, residing at Pueblo, in the county of Pueblo and State of Colorado,

have invented certain new andv useful Improvements in Looks or Latches; and we do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of theinvention, suchas will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the to improve the construction of latches or locks of the type disclosed in Patents Nos. 1,281,143 and 1,281,144, granted to Edwin Crompton and Charles L.'Crooks, Oct. 8, 1918.

In the latches and locks disclosed in these patents, the movable latching and locking element comprises a substantially semispherical knob or head that is resiliently projected from the latch casing and is adapted to enter a socket or recess in a cooperating keeper device. In this form of latch or look, the latching and locking knob is depressed or forced back into the casing by a part of the cooperating keeper, both in opening and closing the door. Although this type of latch or lockoperates very satisfactorily, it is necessary, in order that the parts shall function properly, that the knob in such latches or locks as constructed prior to our present invention be made comparatively short or shallow to permit it to be readily pushed back by the keeper when the door is being opened or closed. A longer or deeper knob would be more effective in securing increased positive latching and locking action. However, in order that a knob of substantially greater latching and locking depth may be employed, it is practically necessary to provide auxiliary means for positively moving the knob out of locking and latching engagement with the keeper when the door is to be opened, instead of depenging merely on the keeper to depress the kno 1 Accordingly this invention aims to provide a lock structure in which the latching and locking knob may be of a maximum operative length or looking depth and is moved to and from its latching and locking position by positively and manually operable means located most desirably in the latch or look caslng and operatively associated with the knobiin such manner as to be capable of actuating the same in the desired way.

Another object of this invention is to provide means which will cooperate with a part of the lock and latch mechanism to automatically move the latching and look ing knob inwardly as the door is'closed. As a desirable means for accomplishing this object, we provide a novel form of keeper or strike plate having a cam edge that cooperates with a finger operatively connected to the mechanism for operating the latching and locking knob to cause the latter to be positively retracted into the latch or lock casing, upon bringing the parts into cooperative relation by closing the door.

The above and other objects and the novel features of the invention will be apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

Certain matter disclosed herein, but not specifically claimed, forms the subject matter of a separate application and is claimed therein.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is a view of a combined latch and lock embody ing our invention showing the same in latched and locked position, parts being shown in' section and other parts being shown in side elevation;

Figure 2 is another view of the same, in which the latch and lock mechanism is shpiwnin unlocked and unlatched position; an

Figure 3 is a transverse section taken on the line 33 of Figure 1;

Figures 4 and 5 are Views respectively, illustrating latched and locked and unlocked and unlatched positions of another combined latch and lock embodying our inpeing shown mounted in Figure 7 is a perspective view of a combined latch and lock embodying the fea tures shown in Figures 4 and 5, as the same appears on the door of an automobile; for example. in position to co-operate with the keeper shown in Figure 6.

Referring to the particular embodimentof the invention shown in Figures 1. 2 and 3 of the drawings, the latch and lockcasing as shown in transverse section in Fig. 3 is a metal structure substantially rectangular in outline and comprises side walls 10 and 11, a rear bracing member 12 secured to such side walls, and a front wall or face plate 13 the latter being provided with openings 14 and 15 in vertical alinement. The casing is usually mounted in a mortise within the vertical edge of an automobile door and also near the top edge of the door so that the o crating plunger P shall extend through t e upper n end of the mg to a point adacent t e u per e e o the door where the nob 16 on t e plunger P is conveniently accessible for manual operation.

he plunger or operatingmember P may be an elon ted bar or rod provided with a suitable andle at or near its upper end outside the latch casing and operatively connected at its inner end to the mechanism inside the casing. i

A keeper member K of met 1 is secured in the proper position on the' iamb of the door opening and has a socket 17 therein to receive the header knob I8 of the latching and locking element B which is resilientl the latch and lock casing by a leaf sring 19 having its upper end secured to t e knob and its lower end riveted at 20 to the inner wall of the face late 13. A locking finger or bar 21, pivotal sup rted by a pin 22 mounted between t e wa ls of the latch and lock casing, is arranged to engage the rear face of the knob 18 and lock it in its projected position. The locking finger or dog 21 may be engaged and operated by the plun r P in any suitable manner to move the nger into and out of its locking position. As here shown, the finger 21 passes freely between two pins 28 and 24 carried by the plunger and when the flatter is reciprocated in either direction these pins engage the finger or dog 21 and oscillate it vertically about the pivot 22 into and out of locking or dogging engagement with the knob 18. i

The knob 18 comprises a rounded or semispherlcal portion a carried by or referably formed integral with the outer end of a substantially cylindrical and relatively long body portion 6. The knob members of the latches and 100 s shown in the, tents heretofore referred toare .substa t ially semispheri'cal and are therefore comparatively short and may n t always securely law?! @1 11 projected through the opening 15 in,

lock the (1001', especially where the keeper and the latch and lock are spaced too far apart on account of an inaccurate door structure.- A longer knob is therefore highly desirable. but in order that the same shall operate easily and not bind, mechanism is rovided. within the casing in this instance, t at positively withdraws the latching and locking element or knob from its locking and latching position when the door is opened, and also positively forces the knob to its projected or latching and locking position after the door has been closed.

As shown, this retracting and projecting mechanism comprises a lever arm 25 pivotally sup orted at 22 and connected to the pivoted ocking fin er or dog 21 so as to move with the said nger when the latter is operated by the plunger P: A link 26 is pivotally connected, as at 27, to the lever 25 and has a lost-motion connection with a bracket 30 that is securedto the rear end of the knob 18, such connection consisting of a in 28 on the bracket engaging in a slot 28 in the link, The movement of the arm 25 is transmitted to the knob 18 through the link 26 and bracket 30, the arrangement being such that when the plunger P is deressed the finger Ql will first be Withdrawn rom locking or dogging engagement with the knob 18, the lostmotion between the link 26 and the bracket being simultaneously taken up, so that further movement of the plunger causes the knob 18 to be pulled rearwardl into the casing against the tension of tiie spring 19, and into the unlatched and unlocked position as indicated in Fig. 2. If desired, the extent of this retracti action may be only such as will permit t e keeper to com lete the full throw of the latching and Ice ing head or knob by the swin of the door.

In order to hol the mechanism in its unlocked and unlatched position while the door. is open, a bolt A is provided, the forward end of which is projected outwardly through the openin 14 in the face plate 13 by a spring 31 t at bears against the brace 12 and a inst an abutment, such as the shoulder 3 on the bolt. When the plunger is depresseha notch 33 therein is brought into alinement with the bolt A, and when the door has been opened, thespring 31', which is compressed, is released and throws a part of the bolt A into the notch 83. looking the plunger in its depressed or unlocking posi tion. Depressin the plunger P, compresses a spring 35 that ears against a pin 36 on the plunger and a ainst a cross brace 37 secured to the sides 0 thecasing.

'When the door carrying the latch and lock is swung to close it, a cam face 38 on the keeper engages the curved end 39 of the belt A and depresses the latter against the spring 31, and through the notch 33 until.

a notch 40 in said bolt registers with the plunger P, whereupon the compressed spring 35 is released and shoots the plunger P upwardly. The opening 15 in the face plate of the casing, having in the meantime moved into registry with the socket 17 of the keeper the parts connected to the released plunger are moved into latching and locking position (Fig. 1).

When the plunger P has been released by the bolt A, the leaf spring 19 as well as the helical spring 35 act jointly to move the parts into latching and locking position. The leaf sprng 19 tends to project the knob 18 outwardly through the opening 15 and the link mechanism comprising the arm 25, link 26 and bracket 30 are operated by the spring 35 to assist to positively force the knob 18 to its extreme projected position where the finger 21 can move behind the knob and lock or dog it.

In Figures 4; and 5 is illustrated another and preferred form of combined lock and latch embodying this invention. As shown, this construction embodies a case 50 similar in general respects to the one shown in Figs. 1., 2 and the same being provided with sides 51, a front 52, and one or more cross braces 53. The front 52 has an opening 54 which is disposed vertically above another opening 55 that provides apassage for the latching and locking knob 56. which latter is, inv all essential. respects, similar to the knob 18, previously described. The knob has a relatively short rearwardly extending bracket or stem 58 by means of which it is pivotally connected at 59 to the upper end of one arm 60 of a double arm lever E.

Theother arm 61 of the lever E is slotted as at 62 to receive the pin 63 and provide a lost-motion connection therewith, the pin being mounted in the sides of the casing and serving as a pivotal support for the lever E. The outer end of the lever arm 61 is pivotally connected to the operating plunger P at 64. i

Suitable means is provided to support the knob or head 56 in its several movements and positions. The effective means herein shown consists of an inwardly projecting guide sleeve or flange 57 formed integral with the front wall of the casing and surrounding the opening 55 therein. If a longer guiding and supporting means is desired, an .additional longer sleeve may be fitted around the sleeve 57 so as to project farther into the casing.

The plunger P is vertically reciprocable in openings in .one or more guide braces 53, being provided with a buttom 65 or other suitable means whereby. it may be manually depressed or operated. The plunger P tends to normally assume a position inwhich the knob 56 is projected from the casing, as in Figure 1, suitable means being provided for this purpose. As shown, a collar 66 mounted on the plunger below the pivot 6 1 bears against the upper end of a helical spring 67 that surrounds the plunger and is supported upon the brace 53. The spring 67 normally presses upwardly against the collar 66 and arm 61 and, acting through the lover E and bracket 58, retains the knob 56 in its projected or locking position.

A suitable socket 70 in the keeper or strike plate K is constructed and arranged to receive the knob 56 when the door carrying it has been closed into position to cooperate with such a keeper K properly mounted upon a door jamb.

As already stated, the plunger P may be manually operated by pressing down on the button 65. In addition, suitable automatically operable means are provided to depress the plunger, so that the long knob 56 shall be positively moved or withdrawn from its locking and latching position as the door upon which it is mounted is closed.

A simple and desirable means for accomp llShll'lg such automatic operation comprises a rigid finger or arm 71 carried by the plunger P and provided with a rounded end 72 that projects a short distance out of the casing through the opening 54. Suitable cam means on the keeper engages the arm the knob into the socket easier, but such inclined surface is not essential. Above the socket portion of the keeper plate, the metal is stamped or cut out leaving an irregular shaped opening as at 74:, the upper edge such opening being cut so as to provide a. .curved cam 75 in the plane of the plate and of the proper shape to engage and depress the. arm 71 the required amount to retract the knob 56 far enough into the casing to allow the door to close easily and until the opening 55 registers or nearly registers with the socket 70.

From-the lower end 76 of the cam portion 7 5, the upper edgeiof the opening 7 4 extends upwardly, rearwardly and then downwardly to form a recess or notch 77 into which the end 72 of the arm 71 may snap whenthe opening 55 registers with the socket 70 and the door is closed. When the parts are in this position the arm 71 assists the knob 56 in locking the door, the end of said arm engaging the front edge 78 of the recess 77 A keeper of this type is simple and inexpensive because it may be stam ed or cut from flat sheet metal plate. e keeper may be secured by screws 79 in a shallow recess in the door jam'b J, the part of the jamb opposite the opening 74 being also cut away to leave a recess deep enough to receive the end 72 of the plunger arm. No part of the keeper projects above the face of the door jamb, thus providing a flush and neat appearing construction.

Assumin that the door is closed and locked as s own in Figure 4, the button may be depressed to operate the plunger to withdraw the knob 56, and at the same time move the end of the arm 71 out of the notch 77, the parts then assuming the positions shown in Figure 5. The door may then be easily swung open, whereupon the button is released, permitting the parts to return to their normal positions, as indicated in Fi ure 4.

t will be seen that with suitable mechanisms for positively retracting and projecting the knob, such as those described or equivalents thereof, it is possible to use a much longer knob than in prior locks and latches of this type. Furthermore, the working action of the parts is smoother and much more reliable, thus providing a simple and efiicient device that will latch and lock with one movement.

While the improved latch and lock structures have been described in detail, it is to be understood that various changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and therefore we do not wish to be limited to the exact arrangement shown and described.

What we claim is:

1. In a lock or latch, the combination with a locking element, of means for positively moving said element to and from its locking or latching osition, said means comprising a reciprocabl e member, ivoted means intermediate said element an said member, and a spring acting in the direction of reciprocation of said member to oppose or assist the movement of said member.

2. In a lock or latch, the combination with a locking and latching element, of means for positively moving said element to and from its locking and latching position, said means comprising an operating member means operatively connecting said element and said member and means acting in the direction of operation of said member to yieldingly oppose or assist the movement of said member.

3. In a.1ock or latch, the combination with a locki and latchin element, of means for positive y moving said element to and from its locking and latching position. said means comprising a reciproca 1e operating member,

. pivoted means connecting said element and said member, and a spring surrounding said lma member and acting in the direction of reciprocation of said member to yieldingly oppose or assist the movement of said membar.

4. In a lock or latch, the combination with a looking or latching element, of means for positively moving said element to and from its locking position, said means comprising a reciprocable operating member, a doublearm device operatively connecting said member and said element, and a spring surrounding said member and acting in the direction of the reciprocation thereof to yieldingly oppose or amist the movement of said member.

5. In a lock or latch, the combination with a looking or latching element, of means for operating said element, pivotal means and connecting means between said element and such operating means, said connecting means having an elongated slot therein to receive said pivotal means and allow a short free movement of said connecting means.

6. In a lock or latch, the combination with a locking or latching element, an operating member, a pivotally mounted double-arm lever having one of its arms connected to said locking element and the other arm connected to such operating member, and means adapted to cooperate with a keeper or strike plate to actuate such operating memher.

7. In a lock, the combination with a looking element, of an operating member having a rigid arm adapted to be engaged by a keeper or strike plate to actuate said operating member, means comprising a pivoted double-arm lever for connecting said locking element and operating member, and yieldable means op osing the movement of said operating mem )er and adapted to return the same and connected parts to normal position.

8. A strike plate comprising a cam and a locking recess disposed in the plane of said plate.

9. In a lock or latch. the combination with a strike plate comprising a bolt-receiving recess and a cam disposed in the plane of said plate, of a bolt adapted to engage in said recess, operating means for positively projecting and retracting said bolt, and means cooperating with said cam and said operating means for controlling the operation of the latter.

10. A keeper or strike plate having an opening extending from one edge thereof into the plate, the upper edge of said opening being formed to provide a cam and a locking reicess, both disposed in the plane of said ate. i p 11. A keeper or strike plate having a boltreceiving socket or recess and an opening above said socket, the upper edge of such opening comprising a curved edge constituting a cam in the plane of said plate.

12. In a latch or lock, the combination of a bolt, means for retaining said bolt in a looking or latching position, means for operating said retaining means to release said bolt and for retracting said bolt, and keeperoperable means for controlling the operation of such operating means.

13. In a lock or latch, the combination comprising a looking or latching element normally in latched position, means for 0p- 10 erating said looking or latching element and signatures.

EDWIN CROMPTON. CHARLES L. CROOKS. Witnesses:

CHARLES L. CLARK, D. E. GREEVER. 

